How to Become a Pastry Chef in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 12,420 pastry chefs earning a median $37,030 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Illinois.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Illinois): $37,030/yr (Source: BLS OEWS (proxy: Bakers), 2025)
- Employed in Illinois: 12,420 workers (Source: BLS OEWS (proxy: Bakers), 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.34x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 5.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Pastry Chef Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kishwaukee College | 66.2 | $4,560 - $13,901 | $49,273 | 42% | Yes* | 64 mi |
| 2 | Moraine Valley Community College | 60.0 | Contact school for pricing | $51,357 | 37% | Yes* | 74 mi |
| 3 | William Rainey Harper College | 59.2 | Contact school for pricing | $56,704 | Not reported | Yes* | 87 mi |
| 4 | Joliet Junior College | 55.1 | $4,530 - $13,800 | $51,121 | 21% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 5 | Triton College | 54.9 | Contact school for pricing | $52,701 | Not reported | Yes* | 85 mi |
| 6 | Richland Community College | 53.4 | Contact school for pricing | $51,785 | 52% | Yes* | 78 mi |
| 7 | Elgin Community College | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $54,220 | 41% | — | 77 mi |
| 8 | Illinois Central College | 50.0 | Contact school for pricing | $55,058 | Not reported | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 9 | College of DuPage | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,984 | 25% | — | 73 mi |
| 10 | Prairie State College | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $50,647 | 20% | Yes* | 77 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois employs approximately 12,420 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $37,030 1. The state’s concentration of jobs in this category is 1.34x the national average, indicating strong regional demand. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a pastry chef in Illinois, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pastry chef salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Bakers (SOC 51-3011). Actual pastry chef earnings may vary.
Pastry Chef Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 58,450 | $41,197 | $43,159 | $33,145 | $51,863 |
| St. Louis | 16,000 | $39,182 | $41,769 | $30,619 | $50,324 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 1,990 | $36,530 | $37,452 | $30,319 | $46,698 |
| Peoria | 1,880 | $37,003 | $38,581 | $32,082 | $48,782 |
| Rockford | 1,470 | $37,173 | $38,295 | $32,065 | $46,552 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 1,350 | $37,296 | $38,736 | $31,605 | $47,671 |
| Springfield | 1,110 | $37,301 | $38,957 | $32,243 | $46,698 |
| Bloomington | 1,100 | $37,045 | $37,891 | $32,312 | $45,618 |
| Paducah | 530 | $32,220 | $33,816 | $27,338 | $40,326 |
| Kankakee | 460 | $37,440 | $38,286 | $32,466 | $46,420 |
| Cape Girardeau | 430 | $34,298 | $34,257 | $28,821 | $42,471 |
| Decatur | 320 | $36,440 | $36,800 | $31,200 | $45,090 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Illinois): $37,030 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in Illinois
How to become a pastry chef in Illinois? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in Illinois.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do pastry chefs earn in Illinois? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in Illinois is $37,030, with entry-level wages around $31,200 and experienced workers earning $47,290 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in Illinois
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Illinois training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Illinois that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pastry chefs in Illinois before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pastry chefs in Illinois? Illinois employs approximately 12,420 workers in the related “Bakers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Illinois.
How much do pastry chefs earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in Illinois is $37,030 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $380 above the national median of $36,650 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |